This is a full in bloom interview with KISS Expo promoter, producer, Shameless bassist Alexx Michael.
YOU CAN LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW VIA THE EMBEDDED YOUTUBE CLIP BELOW. You can also access the video directly on our main YouTube Channel.
DESCRIPTION:
Alexx talks about what it was like dealing with Vinnie Vincent on the road, Vinnie’s wives, Vinnie’s arrest, Mark St. John, Bruce Kulick, and more.
More BONUS interview clips on full in bloom Patreon
VIDEO SOURCES
Vinnie Vincent – Listening Party
$500.00
WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE PREMIERE OF THE
VINNIE VINCENT INVASION
JUDGMENT DAY
RECORD LISTEN PARTY
This is our final listen record party as we’ve spent the last months perfecting the mixes and it’s time to rock!
We decided to move the SIR party date to STARSTRUCK STUDIO. We will be streaming some of the party vibe as it happens.
There will be live performances, catered food, cocktails and the fanjamm and the premiere of VINNIE VINCENT INVASION JUDGMENT DAY
(GUITARMAGEDDON PT. I)
This will be a birthday bash blast, Rock and Roll Party weekend rolled into one.
Fanjamm is definitely fun stuff. Anyone who wants to participate, drummers..bass players.. singers who want to jam on stage with VV, sign up asap.. Everybody could pick their favorite songs and we’ll jamm it out live in the studio.
CAPACITY IS LIMITED
SO GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
$500.00 per person
See U THERE!
MAY 19. 20. 2023.
STARSTRUCK ENTERTAINMENT STUDIO
Music Row
40 Music Square W, Nashville, TN 37203
Bobby Rock:
Our little man has arrived! He is healthy and thriving, and momma Kari Wahlgren is recovering nicely—even after those 18 hours of labor and nearly 4 hours of hard pushing! Sleep has been at a premium lately, of course, but we don’t care. We are both over the moon about our new addition.
It has been an exceedingly emotional time for me. I get choked up over my little man at least once a day. Perhaps it’s a deeper sense of wonder, sentiment, and appreciation that accompanies my older age. Perhaps it’s a taste of resolution to the profound pain of loss I’ve endured through these past three decades. Maybe both. But I’m already telling my boy that he has a “sensitive” papa. Hopefully, I won’t embarrass him too much in the years ahead!
To scope out a bunch more details, check out this weekend’s edition of the Bobby Rock Newsletter @ this location.
Vinnie “Ankh Warrior ” Vincent:
KISS:
Paul Stanley Revisits ‘Creatures Of The Night’ with uDiscover Music!
How would you describe the place the band was at during the creation of Creatures of the Night?
Paul Stanley:
We were coming out of a coma. I think we suddenly realized how much we had veered away from what the band started as and what we believed in. We had really become complacent and more concerned with enjoying some vapid rewards of success than making great music and staying true to our roots. We were stumbling around, and suddenly, I think we just found ourselves going, “What the hell are we doing here? And look what we’re on the verge of losing.”
We had forsaken our fans, and we had, in a sense, betrayed the people who made us what we were. That’s a shock to wake up from. I think we had to go, “Hey, we f__ed up. We got lost.” We had this great [new] drummer, Eric Carr, and we thought, “For God’s sake, let’s make an album that’s rooted in the music we love and really make a declaration of rebirth.”
Eric was still new at the time, and now there was a new guitarist, Vinnie Vincent. How did they affect the sound of the band?
Clearly, Eric was a drummer in the tradition of a lot of British rock drummers, much more so than any American counterparts. It gave us the opportunity to tap into the roots of what inspired us. He was disheartened by what we had done. He thought he was joining a rock band, and we wound up doing The Elder. So, he was thrilled to be doing Creatures.
Vinnie wasn’t a member of the band when we did Creatures, so we were literally auditioning guitar players in the studio and having them play on different tracks. We had Robben Ford, who’s a phenomenal guitar player, play on “I Still Love You,” and Steve Farris played the solo on “Creatures of the Night,” which is one of the great solos. Vinnie co-wrote some of the songs and was a great person to co-write with, but he was never considered a band member until we were faced with a tour and had no choice but to grab somebody.
For Creatures, you wrote a bunch of songs with Adam Mitchell from The Paupers, among other things. A guy who was best known at the time for writing songs for Olivia Newton-John might have seemed like a surprising choice for your collaborator. How did that partnership come about, and what was your working dynamic like?
We’ve always had the philosophy that doing things the normal way isn’t how we operate. We’ve broken those rules so often I could give you a shopping list. [Creatures producer] Michael James Jackson was so left field that most people just scratched their heads at the idea of us being involved with somebody who had done the Canadian band Red Rider and also Jesse Colin Young from The Youngbloods, things that didn’t have any real clear relationship to what we were doing. But Michael felt right. [KISS’S manager] Bill Aucoin had no experience as a band manager; he’d never done anything like that. So, we’ve always trusted our instincts.
And Michael suggested Adam. Adam was just a terrific songwriter. I’m not one of those people who believes that as a writer, you stay in your lane. If you’re a good writer, you can write anything. Adam and I got together and knocked out a bunch of really good songs. I’ve always believed that there had to be a signature song for each album. Most of the time, it was a song that I would come up with. “Love Gun,” for example. “Detroit Rock City.” We needed a song that encapsulated, and kind of gave a preview as to what the whole album was, both in terms of attitude and sonics. Adam and I wrote “Creatures” quickly. From “Creatures” we did “Danger,” and we just had a ball writing.
You can read the entire interview @ this location
Paul Stanley is currently promoting KISS’s Creatures of the Night boxset. Check our previous post for more info @ this location.
In a brand new interview with Guitar World, Kiss co-founder Gene Simmons talked about the band’s 1982 album, Creatures of the Night.
INTERVIEW EXCERPT:
“By the time Creatures happened, Ace was already gone,” recalls Simmons. “Ace doesn’t appear on a single song on Creatures of the Night. His only appearance was in the promotional shots, and he did us a favor by appearing in the I Love it Loud music video. But even that was a mistake because he clearly didn’t know the song and had to fake his way through the entire thing. So, not only were we feeling very unsure of what we were doing, we didn’t even have a lead guitarist.”
“We had to find a workaround for the Ace issue,” recalls Simmons. “And that wasn’t easy because, for all his issues, Ace was a unique player. We held open auditions out in L.A., and everyone from Richie Sambora to Slash to Doug Aldrich to Punky Meadows came down. None of them were a fit, but we couldn’t wait around for the right person.
“So, we went ahead and recorded Creatures with session players. Guys like Steve Farris, Robben Ford, and a guitarist who at the time was called Vincent Cusano.”
On if he thought Vinnie Vincent’s contributions on Creatures of the Night were overstated:
“I do feel Vinnie’s contributions are overstated,” asserts Simmons. “I feel they’re overstated, and I’ll tell you why: to begin with, that’s not even Vinnie playing on the entire record. He played on a few tracks in total. And Vinnie will often talk about his songwriting on Creatures, and yes, he helped with several, but the contributions of Adam Mitchell are there, too. But even that was an issue because we were writing at Adam’s house, and Vinnie cornered me and said, ‘Hey, forget about this Adam guy. I should be writing the songs. We don’t need him.’”
“One of the first things we came up with was I Love It Loud. I was living with Diana Ross, and I was at her Beverly Hills house one day, and I remembered coming up an early version of that song.”
“It was a simple thing – I was referencing the melody of The Who’s My Generation, and I came up with the chords and the melody. And I remember calling Vinnie, getting him involved, and he actually wrote most of the lyrics.”
“I remember that Vinnie brought in Killer.” recounts Simmons. “We liked it, but he fought tooth and nail over the solo. Vinnie wanted to make every solo this massive thing. But Paul and I would bring him specific solos; we gave them to him and asked him to play them verbatim, but he refused.
“He didn’t want to do that, but honestly, everything that Vinnie did sounded like Yngwie Malmsteen on crack. You know, the kind of stuff that the rest of us normal human beings hate. It was ridiculous, and it certainly wasn’t Kiss.”
“It got to the point where we had to put our foot down,” Simmons continues. “We said, ‘Look, you’re going to play the notes exactly as we tell you to.’ And that’s how the solo for I Love It Loud came together. We didn’t need to be ripping apart the puzzle pieces of his solos and trying to splice them together, and that’s what was happening.
“We didn’t feel we needed to be in a situation where we were fighting with Vinnie Vincent over how the songs should sound. He wasn’t a member of Kiss – to remind everyone, Vinnie Vincent was never an official, legal member of Kiss. To this day, Vinnie Vincent has never signed a contract with Kiss.”
Reflecting on the time period, Simmons said:
“When I look back, despite his demons, in some ways, Ace was right,” admits Simmons. “We did need to make a rock record. And he had said that all along; Ace had said that The Elder was not the record that Kiss should make, and he was right. But the thing is, we had people around us telling us it was a good idea, and things didn’t go according to plan. We got off track. That happens in bands, and Kiss is no exception. So, where Ace was wrong was, he didn’t stick with the band.”
You can read the entire interview @ this location.
Gene Simmons is currently promoting KISS’s Creatures of the Night boxset. Check our previous post for more info @ this location.
Vinnie Vincent Arrives @ Creatures Fest 2022 – Check back, we’ll add more pics and videos throughout the weekend. If you are attending Creatures Fest and would like to notify us when you upload anything Vinnie Vincent-related, tag us on Twitter: @fullinbloom
Neil Davis:
The Vinnie Vincent Meet & Greet on Sunday (5/29) is not only going to be glorious on its own, but the picture will be you and Vinnie standing with the ‘Creatures Tank.’ Bring all of your Vinnie Vincent Invasion/KISS stuff, anything you want to get autographed, bring it over.
Vinnie Vincent:
It’s going to be really great. This is going to be the show of all shows and to this man’s credit, no one has ever arranged anything this big, this special, or this historic.
KISS “Creatures of the Night” Live 1983 Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil w/ Vinnie Vincent, Eric Carr, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons – Creatures Fest 2022 pic.twitter.com/MYFqjZcWNd
— full in bloom 🤘 (@fullinbloom) May 28, 2022
Bruce Kulick, Vinnie Vincent, Lara (novia de Ace) y Ace Frehley. Para la posteridad. pic.twitter.com/BuMVHNnJd3
— KISSmanía (@kissmaniamex) May 31, 2022
The Rock Experience with Mike Brunn: Peter Criss and Ace Frehley reunited tonight at CreaturesFest!!!
How does it get any better than that!?!?!?! We have two more days to find out!!
Former KISS members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss reunited on stage at the 2022 Creatures Fest in Nashville, TN last night (May 27th). During the set, they performed two KISS songs, “Hard Luck Woman” and “Strange Ways”.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOOTAGE BELOW
Ace Frehley & Peter Criss – “Strange Ways” (from Creatures Fest) pic.twitter.com/sjMpUcHXMG
— 80s Glam Metalcast (@80sGlamMetal1) May 28, 2022
Got to meet the @RealPeterCriss super nice guy !!! Thanks @CreaturesFest 👍 pic.twitter.com/cvxTOoT3rN
— Great Scott’s Art Studio (@GreatScottsArt1) May 28, 2022
I think I am almost hyped as much for the Creatures Fest drama, who showed up / who didn’t, who shit on the event on their podcast…as I am for the inevitable actual Fest itself. Took a vacay day starting Friday, in case I get a call from anyone with a hookup. #CreaturesFest pic.twitter.com/aVfLIA51cU
— Thane of the Woods (@thaneofthewoods) May 24, 2022
TONIGHTS @CreaturesFest fans were magnificent @ace_frehley @MonstersOfRock @dash_radio pic.twitter.com/DM6kAiDIP5
— Chip Z’Nuff * (@ChipZnuff) May 28, 2022
Let’s do this @CreaturesFest 🤘🏼🤘🏼 pic.twitter.com/ztNpUnOiiH
— ConriZucky (@ZuckyConri) May 28, 2022
Ace at @CreaturesFest today!
Photo by my friend Troy! pic.twitter.com/xqSZVE47wi— Johnny Wicker (@KissWicker) May 27, 2022
Yeah @ace_frehley!! 2000 Man!! @CreaturesFest @kiss pic.twitter.com/Vn7Takdf1k
— Shout It Out Loudcast (@SIOLoudcast) May 27, 2022
CreaturesFest baby!! Ace joins! @JoeyCassata @SIOLoudcast @growinuprock @PaulStanleyLive @genesimmons @KISSOnline @kiss @brucekulick @Podcastrockcity @CreaturesFest pic.twitter.com/2rubKtukcN
— Sonny Pooni (@PooniSonny) May 27, 2022
Peter Criss singing Hard Luck Woman with Ace Frehley tonight at @CreaturesFest Greatness was in full effect. What an amazing moment & we have two more loaded days of this incredible celebration of KISS. #CreaturesFest #KISSTORY pic.twitter.com/lqWDtdqn2g
— Jeff G. Bailey (@JeffGBailey1) May 28, 2022
HMBC enjoying a @YazooBrew Hop Perfect IPA in Nashville, TN. Gearing up for @CreaturesFest 🍻🤟 pic.twitter.com/ySYmpJL5CS
— HeavyMetalBeerClub (@metalbeerclub) May 25, 2022
Vinnie Vincent at Nashville Airport today getting Ready for @CreaturesFest coming up end of this week. pic.twitter.com/x4gusrgNFL
— Johnny Wicker (@KissWicker) May 23, 2022
@RealPeterCriss and Ace Frehley together on Hard Luck Woman last night. Amazing! #CreaturesFest pic.twitter.com/0eC4RXCBnA
— melanie wilson (@melaniemayw) May 28, 2022
Peter and Ace Creatures Fest#max1on1 #soykisseroradio #creaturesfest #kissarmy pic.twitter.com/Z4Q29T2Urh
— Soy KISSero Radio (@soykisseroradio) May 28, 2022
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Mark Weiss: Come get destroyed at CreaturesFest in Nashville, TN tomorrow Saturday, May 28th. I will be there with my book The Decade That Rocked and my classic KISS photos. #Nashville #kiss #creaturesfest
Bobby Rock: Best vegan pizza EVER, compliments of pizza master Mr. Benito, from Hotel Mediterraneo in Sorrento… where he has been crafting incredible pizzas for 45 years. This mixed-veggie masterpiece was a life-altering experience! Thank you, sir…
Hangin’ in Capri for a couple days. “Breakfast of Champions” this morning: vegan pancakes with vegan Nutella… among a few other things. The food has been insane here in Italy this week, no surprise there… pic.twitter.com/BbxBYpjjgP
— Bobby Rock (@bobbyrocklive) May 11, 2022
Finally caught “The David” today here in Florence. Wow… absolutely stunning to see in person. This damn thing has quite an aura, for real! pic.twitter.com/BYKhgAHPvJ
— Bobby Rock (@bobbyrocklive) May 6, 2022
From this morning’s run in Tuscany (the Chianti region). Enjoying a little decompression time in Italy this week. Beauty everywhere you look… plus cool peeps and plenty of incredible vegan food. Florence tomorrow, then the Amalfi Coast. Life is good! pic.twitter.com/2ne7w86bpo
— Bobby Rock (@bobbyrocklive) May 5, 2022
Bobby Rock: It all started with this guy, my first drum instructor, Randy May. When I was first starting out back in Houston, my mom used to drive me across town to study with Randy, because he was the best around. I’m forever indebted! In the years since Randy has become an industry legend.
Neil Davis: At the Vinnie Vincent Invasion album listening party. This new album is incredible!!! Press is going crazy over this. Can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
New Vinnie Vincent Invasion album is so good!!! We are listening to it now!!! -Neil Davis
In an interview with Mike Brunn in May 2021, Vinnie Vincent talked about the upcoming album:
This is my crowning moment of joy that I’ve been waiting for many, many, many years, just to be able to say to everybody in truth and reality that we are finally mixing the 2-inch masters, and I finally have control over my 2-inch tape masters of all of my songs. We’re gonna be releasing new Vinnie Vincent music on vinyl. Within the next 12 to 18 months, it’s all finally going to be released.”
KISS MY WAX RECORDS ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF SLAUGHTER’S ‘THE WILD LIFE’ ON VINYL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER 30 YEARS
Kiss My Wax records has announced the second in their series of Slaughter Definitive Edition LP box sets and standard vinyl releases. Slaughter’s 1992 sophomore effort will be available for the first time on vinyl in over 30 years.‘The Wild Life’ will be available in two different versions.
‘The Wild Life’: The Definitive Edition
PRE-ORDER
4-LP Box Set includes:
•Four LPs (The Wild Life on two LPs + live record + bonus record)
•48-page book containing unseen images and band photos
•Reproduction press kit
•Slip mat
•Button & sticker set
•Signed by all 3 surviving members
•Each set hand-numbered, limited to 750 pieces
•Housed in a stunning custom box with foil elements
•One box will contain an authentic, period-correct photo signed by the entire band, including the late Tim Kelly
‘The Wild Life’: Standard Edition:
PRE-ORDER
•Slaughter’s 1992 record presented on vinyl for the first time since its initial release
•Audio taken from the band’s original analog masters
•Two 33 RPM, half-speed-mastered LPs on red & white opaque vinyl
•Mastered specifically for vinyl by Maor Appelbaum (Dream Theater, Faith No More)
•Housed in a gatefold sleeve
•Hype sticker exclusive to this release
Kiss My Wax Records is a small-press boutique record label that specializes in high-end audiophile and collectible releases and includes previous projects by Ace Frehley and Slaughter.
This excerpt was taken from a full in bloom interview with drummer Carmine Appice. If you would like to be notified as new excerpts from this interview are uploaded, subscribe to our YouTube channel (Be sure to also click the BELL).
WATCH THE VIDEO CLIP BELOW OR WATCH IT ON YOUTUBE
INTERVIEW EXCERPT DESCRIPTION:
Carmine talks about King Kobra, BulletBoys, and what it was like working with Vinnie Vincent in the pre-KISS band Carmine and the Rockers.
Carmine Appice Interview via YouTube
“Hollywood Heartbeat” Written by Carmine Appice & Vinnie Vincent
Lita Ford: Yeah Pennsylvania! Thanks to everyone who came out to the Live United Live Festival! A great cause that helps benefit youth mental health. For support, text: YMH 41444.
Drummer Bobby Rock (PART I) talks New Lita Ford Album @ this location.
Drummer Bobby Rock (PART 2) talks Vinnie Vincent, Recording Guitars on the 1986 VVI Debut Album @ this location.
Drummer Bobby Rock (PART 3) talks Vinnie Vincent, Recording Drums on the 1986 VVI Debut Album @ this location.
This is PART 3 of the full in bloom interview w/ drummer Bobby Rock.
LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW VIA THE EMBEDDED YOUTUBE CLIP BELOW or you can watch the video directly on YouTube @ this location.
You can also listen to this episode on SOUNDCLOUD and SPOTIFY. (Links Coming Soon)
Bobby talks about Vinnie Vincent, recording his drums for the band’s 1986 self-titled debut album, sobriety, Dana Strum, Steeler drummer Mark Edwards, and more.
You can listen to Bobby Rock PART I @ this location.
You can listen to PART 2 @ this location.
Bobby Rock Interview PART 3 via YouTube